How ‘Rocky’ movies influenced Greek martial artist Stergos Mikkios

Greek-American fighter Stergos “The Greek Dynamite” Mikkios, 28, is a big fan of the “Rocky” film series. His love for the action films starring Sylvester Stallone has something to do with his career as a professional martial artist.

“I saw the ‘Rocky’ movies my entire life,” Mikkios shared. “And then I saw mixed martial arts on television and I got interested in it. I figured I should give it a try.”

Stallone played a boxer named Robert “Rocky” Balboa in seven “Rocky” films. The most recent installment was titled “Creed,” which was released in 2015, and the next installment titled “Creed II” will be released on November 21, 2018.

Three years before the release of “Creed,” Mikkios decided to take martial arts seriously and it was his love affair with the martial art known as the art of eight limbs that gave his life purpose and direction. He eventually left his job and relocated to Thailand to dedicate his life to training and competing in Muay Thai.

“There was nothing I could lose,” Mikkios said. “I had nothing going on. I tried martial arts, and I fell in love.”

In just six years of training, Mikkios has already amassed an impressive professional Muay Thai record of 19 wins, 9 losses and 2 draws. He also won a handful of championships, including the American Kickboxing Federation championship, Friday Night Fights Muay Thai championship and most notably the Triumph Kombat Championship.

After competing mainly in the United States, Mikkios took his talents to the global stage through the highly acclaimed ONE Super Series. He made his debut in ONE Championship’s striking-only league on May 12, 2018 at “ONE: Grit and Glory” where he lost to Ognjen Topic, 32, of Serbia in a Muay Thai contest.

On September 8, 2018, Mikkios is making his return to the ONE Championship ring. He will compete again in a Muay Thai contest, this time against Han Zi Zao of China at “ONE: Beyond the Horizon” at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China.

Meanwhile, here is Mikkios shadow boxing near a statue of Alexander the Great: